Semiindirect-lighting fixture



April 21, 1931. E. c. GERARD SEMIINDIRECT LIGHTING FIXTURE FiIed Dec. 26, 1928 Patented Apr. 21, 1931 PATENT OFFICE EDGAR C. GERARD, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA SEMIINDIBECT-LIGH'IING FIXTURE Application filed December 26, 1928. Serial No. 328,495.

This invention relates to illuminating fixtures.

An object of the invention is the provision of an illuminating fixture of improved and 5 ornamental design wherein the parts are so arranged that the entire exteriorsurface of the fixture may be illuminated by light emanating from the light source with which the fixture is provided. 1 A further object is the provision of a lighting fixture comprising a plurality of reflectors, each adapted'to reflect light emanating from the light source of the fixture upwards against the under side of the reflector 15 'thereabove whence the" light is reflected downwards to illuminate the surrounding area.

A further obj ect is the provision of a lighting fixture composed of a plurality of reflectors as described and which is provided 93 with means for illuminating the under side of the lowermost of these reflectors.

A still further object is the provision of,a lighting fixture composed of a plurality of reflectors as described, these reflectors being so arranged as to intercept all the rays of light directed downwards {ggm the light source and reflect them thro h more or less tortuous paths to the area 0 be illuminated with the result that the concentrated rays of light emanating from the light source are diffused so as to illuminate the surrounding area with a soft,.pleasant light.

The invention possesses other vob ects and advantageous features some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following descriptionof the lIlVGIltlOIlS particular embodiment which is-illustrated in the of the specification. Referring to theidrawings,

of a fixture embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view, direction of view being indicated by arrow 2 on Figural.

Specifically describing the invention in 1ts mostpractical embodiment of which I am at present aware, the fixture of my invention 1ncludes any suitable support such as a standard 6 depending from a canopy :7 of any suitdrawings accompanying and forming a part Figure 1 is a vertical, medial sectional view able and preferably ornamental design. An electric socket 8 is carried at the lower end of the standard 6 and a plurality of, say three brackets 9 depend from the lower end of the standard 6 to support an incandescent bulb 11 which serves as the source of light for the fixture and which is secured into the electric socket 8 in the conventional manner.

An opaque reflector 12 is disposed below the bulb 11 being secured in this position by being attached to the lower ends of all the brackets 9 as by rivets 13 or their equivalent. The reflector 12 is concave on its upper surface, preferably being composed of a flaring rim 14 and a bottom 16 extending thereacross with the rivets 13 extending through the rim 14 as shown,

Supported upon horizontally aligned shoulders 17 adjacent the lower ends of the brackets 9 is an annular reflector 18, also opaque. This reflector 18 surrounds the bulb 11 and is also concave on its upper side, preferably being formed of a flaring rim 19 and an upwardly convex annular bottom 21.

A second annular reflector 22 is supported above the reflector 18 by resting upon another set of horizontally aligned shoulders 23 with which the brackets 9 are provided. The under side of the reflector 22 is concave so that it is capable of reflecting downwards light reflected upwards from the annular reflector 18. It'should be here observed that preferably the bulb 11 is frosted as at 24:, this frosting serving to deflect more of the light fromthe filament of the bulb upwards against the under side of the reflector 22. A flaring I tubular shield 26 issimilarly sup orted upon still another set of horizontally aligned shoulders 27 on the brackets 9. This shield 26 is disposed about and thusserves to effectively conceal from View, the socket 8 and the upper portion of the bulb 11. A translucent, cylindrical shell 29 extends u wards from the reflector 22, preferably ad acent the periphery thereof, being secured thereto by a suitable bezel 31. Both surfaces of the reflectors 12 and 18, and the lower surface of the reflector 22 may be either polished or provided with any suitable light reflective coating.

Means for illuminating the exterior of the lowermost reflector 12 by light emanating from the bulb 11 are also provided. A glass ball 33 is secured to the under side of the reflector- 12, preferably concentrically therewith, by means of a neck 34, also of glass, extending through the bottom of the reflector 12 with the result that light from the bulb 11 can pass through the neck 34 and illuminate the ball 33. A bushing 36 may be employed for conveniently attaching the ball 33 in position. It will be readily understood that light travelling through the neck 34 will be refracted to illuminate the entire ball The lower portion 37 of the ball 33 is frosted as at 38 so that at least a portion of the light coming through the neck 34: into the ball 33 will be reflected upwards to illuminate the under side of the reflector 12.

It is therefore readily apparent that I have provided a lighting fixture which is of attractive design and which will serve to illuminate a room or the like with a pleasant, softened light, in view of the fact that none of the rays of light from the bulb 11 can pass directly downwards to illuminate the room. Rather they must traverse tortuous paths, being first reflected upwards by the upper face of one reflector and then reflected downwards by the lower face of another reflector. Hence the rays of light will be softened or diffused, producing the well known indirect lighting effect. Moreover substantially the entire exterior surface of the fixture is illuminated, producing an article of unusual and attractive appearance. Another feature which should be pointed out is the fact that whereas the above pointed out advantages may behad by means of the fixture of my invention, still the fixture may be manufactured wit-h a minimum of expense in view of the fact that each of the reflectors may be constructed relatively cheaply and the entire fixture may be assembled with a minimum of labor which further tends to decrease the cost of production.

Various changes may be made in the principles of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof, as set forth in the description, drawings and claims.

I claim:

1. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a plurality of reflectors disposed about said light source, and an upstanding cylindrical shell of translucent material supported upon the periphery of the largest of said reflectors.

2. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, aplurality of reflectors disposed about said light source, each of said reflectors being arranged to reflect light from said light source against the underside of the reflector thereabove, means for reflecting light from said light source against the underside of the lowermost reflector, and an upstanding cylindrical shell of translucent material supported upon the periphery of the largest of said reflectors.

3. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a pluralit of brackets depending from said sup ort a out said light source, an opaque re ector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets and an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and supported upon shoulders on said brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source, and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector.

4. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a pluralit of brackets depending from said support a out said light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and sup ported upon shoulders on said brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, and means for illuminating the under side of said lowermost reflector.

5. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a plurality of brackets depending from said support about said light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and supported upon shoulders on said brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, and a glass ball disposed below said lowermost reflector and having a translucent neck extending there through to illuminate the under side thereof.

6. A light fixture comprising a sup rt, a light source carried thereby, a plura ity of brackets depending from said support about said light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and supported upon shoulders on said brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, and a second annular reflector surrounding said light source and supported upon shoulders on said brackets above said other reflectors, said last mentioned reflector being concave on its underside to reflect downwards light directed upwards from the lower annular reflector and from said light source.

7. A light fixture comprising a support, a

light source carried thereby, a plurality of brackets depending from said sup ort about said light source, an opaque re ector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and supported u on shoulders on said brackets, both 0 said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, a second annular reflector surrounding said light source and supported upon shoulders on said brackets above said other reflectors, said last mentioned reflector being concave on its underside to reflect downwards light directed upwards from the lower annular reflector and from said light source, and an upstanding cylinderical translucent shell supported upon said second mentioned annular reflector.

8. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a plurality of brackets depending from said support about said light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and supported jupon shoulders on said brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, a second annular reflector surrounding said light source and supported upon shoulders on said brackets above said other reflectors, said last mentioned reflector being concave 'on its underside to refleet downwards light directed upwards from the lower annular reflector and from said light source, an upstanding cylindrical translucent shell supported upon said second mentioned annular reflector, said shell being adapted to be illuminated from the inside by light emanating from said light source.

9. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a plurality of brackets depending from said support about said light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and supported upon shoulders on said'brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, a glass ball disposed below said lowermost reflector and having a translucent neck extending therethrough to illuminate the under side thereof, and a second annular reflector surrounding said light source and supported upon shoulders on said brackets above said other reflectors, said last mentioned reflector being concave on its underside to'reflect downwards light directed upwards from the lower annular reflector and from said light source.

10. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a plurality of brackets depending from said support about said light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular, opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said firstmentioned reflector and supported upon shoulders on said brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflectorv being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, a glass'ball disposed below said lowermost reflector and having a translucent neck extendin therethrough to illuminate'the under side t ereof, and means for reflecting against the inside of said shell light directed upwards from said light source.

11. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a plurality of bracketsdepending from said support about said light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular,

opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioned reflector and supported upon shoulders on said brackets, both of said reflectors being arranged to reflect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector, means for illuminating the under side of said lowermost reflector, and a shield surrounding of said support. A

12. A light fixture comprising a support, a light source carried thereby, a plurality of brackets depending from said support about said, light source, an opaque reflector disposed below said light source and secured to the lower ends of said brackets, an annular,

opaque reflector surrounding said light source above said first mentioiied reflector the lower end:

and supported upon shoulders on said brackets both of said reflectors being arranged to re ect upward light cast downwards from said light source and the bottom of said annular reflector being arranged to reflect downwards light directed thereagainst by the lowermost reflector means for illuminating the under side of said lowermost reflector, and a shield surrounding the lower end of said support and the upper portion of said light source.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

EDGAR C. GERARD. 

